TESTED 8.12.25, LISBON, PORTUGAL ON SALE EARLY 2027
RENAULT CLIO
Supermini class leader gets regenerated with bigger body, snouty face, latest hybrid powertrain and more
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
24
FERRARI AMALFI
28
VOLKSWAGEN ID POLO
30
CHERY TIGGO 9
32
MERCEDES CLA 250+ EQ
HOW WE TEST CARS
Autocar delivers several kinds of reviews on new cars, with different levels of technical and functional scrutiny. As the name suggests, our First Drives section typically addresses cars that we’re driving for the first time – either in final production form or as late prototypes. Time in the car can be limited here, technical and equipment specification might not be finalised and some systems software may not be to production specification. For those reasons, First Drive reports don’t have star ratings.
Once we have driven a car for a second time in the UK, in right-hand-drive form and typically at greater length, we will rate it, either as part of a shorter UK test report or as the subject of a full, instrumented Road Test.
In the latter case, we take empirical performance and refinement benchmarks from it at Horiba MIRA proving ground, as well as subjective limit handling impressions, plus key measurements of practicality, efficiency and kerb weight.
All UK tests and Road Tests receive proper verdicts with star ratings informed by everything we have learned and the combined impressions and experience of several testers.
With the Fiesta culled and Renault surely being satisfied by the success of the electro-revived 5, one wonders if the venerable Clio suddenly finds itself on thin ice.
Renault insists not. “Clio is Renault,” intoned executives at the launch of the new sixth-generation version in Portugal. Then again, in many European markets Fiesta was Ford, until it abruptly wasn’t.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now there is a new Clio. It will go on sale in mainland Europe next year but arrive here only in 2027. Renault puts this unusual delay squarely on the UK government and its inconsistent communications concerning its ZEV mandate.